ServerCommand.org » What is a VPS/VDS?

As many users have experienced, after a while your growing web site will outgrow the standard shared web hosting environment provided by many of the web hosts in today’s industry. This leaves many people wondering what their next step is, a dedicated server?

A dedicated is a excellent next step, but does come at a much higher cost than your standard shared web hosting package and in many cases is not a feasible upgrade due to just the cost of the server itself.

With that comes Virtual Dedicated Servers (VDS) or Virtual Private Servers (VPS) which are usually much more affordable for many users, starting at around $20/Month. So now you have found your upgrade path, but what is a VPS/VDS?

Virtual Private Server (VPS) and Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS) are much the same thing, just a different name for the same end result. They are a virtual server that is housed on a larger dedicated server box. You will have your own operating system and runs much like a normal dedicated server, however with just less power.

You do not share your operating system with anyone else, but you do share the dedicated server box on which your VPS/VDS is housed with other clients who are also renting their own VPS/DVS servers.

A VPS/VDS will normally give you more resources than a standard web hosting package and should meet your needs for you growing web site, atleast till you can afford your own dedicated server, but there is a downside!

The downside to having your own VPS/VDS is that you will now need to learn how to setup and manage your own web server, which for most people is a challenge to say the least. There is allot to understand and learn when trying to figure out how to setup your VPS/VDS to host your web site.

You may need to install MYSQL, Apache, Python or one of many different pieces of software that are required to host your web site.

Do not worry! There are many VPS/VDS hosts that offer a fully “managed” virtual server, where they will worry about maintaning your virtual server for you and all you will need to worry about is keeping your web site running the way you want it!

There are many VPS/VDS hosts around the world and in many cases the shared web hosting you are already with offer VPS/VDS servers and can easily migrate you to one without too much work or hiccups on your web site. If you are happy with your current web host, than it is probably a good idea to stick with them for your VPS/VDS.

If they do not offer them, you may want to look at the below hosts: